The Wild Side

Mile Marker 267:

In Philadelphia on New Year’s Day, the wild things come out to play!

*Both can be found at
the Italian Market :)

If you’ve toured South Philly, you’ve probably come across everything from wild fires to wild boar.*

But nothing roams wilder than THE MUMMERS on New Year’s Day!

Strutting along with those crazy Comics and strumming String Bands, my Genium and I logged over TWO MILES!  

Now I've never been known for my dancing ability.  And as you might guess, wearing a prosthesis does not help the cause. 

I spent Mile 267 (and 268) bouncing, and swaying, and swinging my arms.   I strolled  the sidelines.   I dodged silly string and cheered for those Golden Slippers.  

Then my pal Geno brought me a “Froggy Carr” parasol – and the street was all mine!

But it's a jungle out there!

After 24 hours of partying, those Mummers (and other folks) aren’t too gentle with us single-legged creatures!   

My vigilant friends surrounded and protected me amidst the crowd.  They defended me against reckless stumblers.  When you walk on the wild side, it's good to be part of a pack.

World Famous Mummers Cupcakes!

Truly, it’s my trustworthy pack that made the whole party possible.  I couldn't have thrown together this New Year’s bash on my own.  With a little teamwork, our clan hunted and gathered up a feast for all time!

Yet in the days leading up to the big event, another feral force took over.  One even harder to control:  the WILD THOUGHTS running rampant in my mind.   On New Year’s Eve I tossed and turned, sleepless till 4 a.m.

Would 2012 be as hard as 2011?  Would I even have the energy to get through a wild New Year's Day?  All the worry, doubt, and heart-pounding stress shredded any vision of fun to come.

This New Year's celebration would push me and my new leg to our very limits.


And it did.

It forced me to stray from my daily routine.  It stretched my body, honed my reactions, and tested my endurance.  It compelled me to stand up straight and sturdy among herds of trumpets, and glitter, and swaggering party-goers.

In the wilds of South Philly, survival of the fittest was the rule of the day.  But with my pack by my side, we TAMED those Mummers – or at least joined them!

My INNER wilderness?  Well, that's another story.  

But it's only January 4th.  That's what New Year's Resolutions are for.